title: First-grade retention in the Flemish educational context: Effects on children's academic growth, psychosocial growth, and school career throughout primary education.
abstract: This study examined the effects of first-grade retention on children's academic growth, psychosocial growth, and future school career by following a cohort of first graders until the start of secondary school. The study took place in the Flemish educational context where primary school students are taught in uniform curricular year groups; the same curricular goals are set for all students, irrespective of ability; and grade retention is used as the main way to cater for students not reaching these goals. Propensity score stratification was used to deal with selection bias. Three-level curvilinear growth curve models, encompassing both grade and age comparisons, were used to model children's growth in math skills, reading fluency skills, and psychosocial skills. Two-level logistic regression models were used to model children's likelihood of repeating any grade between Grades 2 and 6, transitioning to a special education primary school, moving to another primary school, and transitioning to the A (versus B) track in secondary education. Overall, results showed that first-grade retention was less helpful for struggling students than generally thought by parents and educators. Limitations of the study and further research suggestions are provided, and practical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Top Institute for Evidence Based Education Research, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. mieke.goos@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goos
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Damme
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Onghena
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Petry
authors.forename: Jerissa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Bilde
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students